Hi. I have a betta that is in long-term hospice care and needs to be in epsom salts. I'm using a high concentration--3 tablespoons per gallon--and don't really want to see what will happen if I cut it down. Long story, he's been treated in every way that OFL, DarkMoon, and Sakura could think of. The situation stabilized, but he remains somewhat bloated, I sort of assume that he has permanent kidney damage or some such thing which is why I refer to it as "long term hospice care". Anybody know if I can I put him back in his planted tank and use that concentration of epsom salt? I have seen a much lower dosage recommended for plants, but that doesn't mean that they would like this much of it. I can also dismantle the tank, put the plants else where and move the fabric plant that Kenpatchi has in his hospital tank over to his regular one. I figure he would be happier with the live plants (and his floating betta log), but he's certainly done well with the fabric one!

Hi. I have a betta that is in long-term hospice care and needs to be in epsom salts. I'm using a high concentration--3 tablespoons per gallon--and don't really want to see what will happen if I cut it down. Long story, he's been treated in every way that OFL, DarkMoon, and Sakura could think of. The situation stabilized, but he remains somewhat bloated, I sort of assume that he has permanent kidney damage or some such thing which is why I refer to it as "long term hospice care". Anybody know if I can I put him back in his planted tank and use that concentration of epsom salt? I have seen a much lower dosage recommended for plants, but that doesn't mean that they would like this much of it. I can also dismantle the tank, put the plants else where and move the fabric plant that Kenpatchi has in his hospital tank over to his regular one. I figure he would be happier with the live plants (and his floating betta log), but he's certainly done well with the fabric one!

Thanks,
Kumi

3 TABLEspoons!? Are you sure it wasn't teaspoon (that's 9tsp/gallon!)? I'm sure that would probably destroy a lot of your plants :S

Kumi, I've also just learned you might try something called kanamycin, available in a medication called Seachem KanaPlex. DarkMoon just told me about it, she says it's powerful when given in feed. The instructions say to blend 1 measure of the medicine in 1 tablespoon of frozen food paste and you can refreeze the food if needed.